EC issues road transport norms for poll campaign

Shimla, Nov 28 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Manisha Nanda today said that Election Commission of India has issued instructions regarding the use of Road Transport by party campaigners.

She said every recognised national party, six in Himachal, could have 40 star campaigners and it is required to submit the list of the star campaigners in the office of Chief Electoral officer for the second phase polling on December 19.

Ms Nanda said till today BJP, Congress and BSP had already supplied the list of their star campaigners and the list of CPI, CPM and NCP was yet to be received.

She clarified that permits for vehicles of star campaigners would be issued and only one party flag could be hoisted on the vehicle of the leader of political party.

If any other person also occupied the vehicle, the 50 per cent expenditure of the same would be counted in the expenditure of the candidate concerned, she added.

Ms Nanda further said in case the mode of road transport was to be availed of by leaders of political parties, the permit would be issued centrally by the Chief Electoral Officer, irrespective of whether the same vehicle was to be used by any leader for campaign throughout the State or different vehicles were to be used by such party leaders in different areas.

The permit would be issued against the name of the person concerned, who will display it prominently on the windscreen of the vehicle being used in any area. The permits so issued by the CEO will be of distinctly different colours from the permits to be issued by the DEOs/ ROs for candidates, she added.

She clarified that the vehicles would, under no circumstances, be allowed to move in convoys of more than three during the period of election campaign. All bigger convoys would be broken up, even if they were carrying any Minister of Central or state Government or any other person. Such broken up convoys should have a distance of at least 200 meters between them, she added.

She further clarified that in case Video-Vans were used by a party, it would be ensured that such use of vehicle was in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Act.

Respective DEOs would also ensure that expenditure incurred on such vehicles was proportionately distributed against the expenditure of the contesting candidates of the party in the areas or constituencies where the van or vehicle has been used.